https://arab.news/4zzge
- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas arrived on Monday in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh resort to attend a summit co-chaired by the United States and Egypt, and to endorse President Donald Trump's vision for peace in the region
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will not attend Monday’s Gaza summit in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El-Sheikh because it coincides with a Jewish holiday, his office said.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu was invited by US President Donald Trump to attend a conference in Egypt today,” his office said in a statement.
“The prime minister thanked President Trump for the invitation but said he would be unable to attend due to the timing coinciding with the start of the holiday” of Simhat Torah, which begins Monday evening and continues until sunset Tuesday.
Earlier, Egypt’s presidency said Netanyahu had been invited to attend following a call between US President Donald Trump, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Israeli premier.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is also expected at the international summit..
There was no immediate comment from Israel on the Egyptian announcement.
Trump earlier Monday landed in Israel to address its parliament.
As he entered the Knesset (parliament), Trump said Palestinian militant group Hamas would comply with a provision under his plan for it to disarm, though it has ruled this out.
Speaking to reporters before beginning his speech, Trump replied “yes” when asked whether Gaza’s war was over.
The Gaza ceasefire plan envisions an eventual role for the Palestinian Authority — something Netanyahu has long opposed. But it requires the authority, which administers parts of the West Bank, to undergo a sweeping reform program that could take years.
The plan also calls for an Arab-led international security force in Gaza, along with Palestinian police trained by Egypt and Jordan. It said Israeli forces would leave areas as those forces deploy. About 200 US troops are now in Israel to monitor the ceasefire.
The plan also mentions the possibility of a future Palestinian state, another nonstarter for Netanyahu.